Artificial tree with an electrical illuminating system

ABSTRACT

An artificial tree having a support base, a trunk member removably connected to the base with connection means for supporting the trunk outwardly away from the base&#39;&#39;s support surface, a limb member connected to the trunk member, an electric light secured to the limb member and electrically connected to power supply means regulated with voltage reduction means connected to the tree&#39;&#39;s base. The electric light can be directly connected to the trunk member and the tree&#39;&#39;s base can include means for rotating the trunk member.

United States Patent Royal P. Fisher Salt Lake City, Utah 878,138

Nov. 19, 1969 Nov. 2, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented ARTIFICIALTREE WITH AN ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATING SYSTEM 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 240/10 T, 161/23, 161/27, 24Q/l0.1 Int. Cl A47g 33/16 Field ofSearch 161/22, 23,

27;240/l0 R, 10 T, 10.].

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l940 Corina 24 /l0 T 3,465,1399/1969 Siegal 240/10 T 1,637,046 7/1927 Montsinger 240/10 T 2,558,7477/1951 Greenlea 240/10 T 2,279,182 4/1942 Snyder 161/22 X PrimaryExaminerPhilip Dier Attorneys-C. Harvey Gold, David V. Trask and WilliamS.

Britt ABSTRACT: An artificial tree having a support base, a trunk memberremovably connected to the base with connection means for supporting thetrunk outwardly away from the bases support surface, a limb memberconnected to the trunk member, an electric light secured to the limbmember and electrically connected to power supply means regulated withvoltage reduction means connected to the trees base. The electric lightcan be directly connected to the trunk member and the trees base caninclude means for rotating the trunk member.

PATENTfimuvz m I 3,617,732

' sum 1 [1F 2 F/GJ 66 32 W l l g HOVOLTS E 3VOLTS v 38 FIG. 4' 42INVICNTUR.

ROYAL P. FISHER HIS ATTORNEY PATENTEDNUVZ 19m 3,617,732

' SHEET 20F 2 I 1 3e 34 37s 34 22 44 In. Q L 24 46 o" -2 2 $1" E l l6 1ill s N 1 1 20 l8 i i m IO I [L48 M; 50 28 s 52 zF/es INVFN'IUR.

\ ROYAL R FISHER F/Ci HIS ATTORNEY ARTIFICIAL TREE WITH AN ELECTRICALILLUMINATING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years the useof artificial trees, and especially Christmas trees, has become verypopular since, in addition to being durable they can be made in a greatvariety of styles. Also, such trees can be constructed from fireretardant materials which means they can be safely used and also storedfor long periods of time without causing a fire hazard. One problemthat, however, has been encountered in connection with artificial treesis in lighting the limbs of the trees with electrical lights because thelimb structure of such trees is generally not sufiiciently profuse tohide the required electrical wiring. In addition, when such trees areused as Christmas trees they are often only used for one holiday seasonand then discarded because they cannot be disassembled for storage. Forthese reasons a great need has arisen for an artificial tree that can beeasily and completely dissassembled forstorage purposes and that canalso be electrically lighted without requiring electrical lines to bestrung around'the tree.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest form the invention comprises anartificial tree having a support base, an elongated trunk memberconnected to the support base with connection means for supporting thetrunk outwardly away from the base-s supporting surface, at least onelimb member, and connector means secured to the trunk for removablyconnecting one end of the limb to the trunk.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention an electric light is attachedto the limb member and the light is electrically connected to a firstelectrical connector secured to the limb member which coacts with asecond'electrical connector af fixed to the trunk and electricallyconnected to a power source.

In another embodiment of the invention, voltage reduction means areelectrically interposed between the second electrical connector and thepower source for controlling the current used to activate the light.

In still another embodiment of the invention the voltage reduction meansis secured to the tree base, power supply conductors are connected tothe voltage reduction means for electrically connecting it to anelectrical supply outlet, and the second connector is electricallyconnected to the voltage reduction means passed through the interior ofthe trees trunk.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the trunk member is mountedto the base with rotating means for rotating the trunk with respect tothe base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that the invention may be morereadily understood and carried into effect, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which are offered by way of example only and arenot to be taken as limiting the invention, the scope of which is definedby the appended claims which are intended to embrace equivalentstructures. 1

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of an artificial tree constructed accordingto this invention wherein the section is taken in a plane passed throughthe proximate center of the trees trunk.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the artificial tree of this inventiontaken in a plane proximate the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of one type of structure forconnecting the trees trunk to its base and also showing one type ofelectrical trunk connector suited for attaching limbs to the trunk.

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram for activating the tree lights ofthis invention and one type of voltage reduction means for controllingthe electrical current used to activate lights.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of one type of trunk base suitable for rotatingthe trunk of the tree of this invention with respect to the tree's basewhile maintaining the trees lights activated.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 5looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the bases rotating plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now moreparticularly-to the drawings, in FIG. I

there is shown a cross-sectional view of the Christmas tree of thisinvention which includes a support base 10 having a bottom supportingedge l2-preferably shaped to securely rest on a substantially flatsupport surface 14. An elongated trunk member 16 such as a taperedtubeis connected to base 10 so that it is held outwardly away from thesupport surface 14. Preferably, the trunk is removably connected to base10 for storage purposes. This can be accomplished with conventionalattaching means suchas-threaded fiange 18 which is secured to the topsurface of the base 10 to coact with threads 20 formed in trunk 16proximate its bottom end. A plurality of outwardly extending limbmembers 22 are connected vto the trunk 16 according to the fashionhereinafter described to complete the tree structure. Whenthe-artificial tree is to be used as a Christmas tree the limb members22 proximate the bottom end of trunk 16 are naturally longer than thoseproximate the trees top end so that the completed tree takes a conicalconfiguration. i In the preferred embodiment of the invention'anelectrical light 24 is connected to at least one of the limb members 22and/or the trunk 16. The light is electrically connected with powersupply and return lines which extend along the limb member to trunk andfrom thence along the trunk to its proximate bottom end to a powersource. Preferably the power lines pass through the interior of trunk 16tobase 10 where they are electrically connected to voltage reductionmeans 26 such as a power transformer for maintaining the current used toactivate lights 24 at a safe level, preferablyabout 1 to l2volts. Thepower transformer is in turn preferably connected to a powersupply line28 fitted with an electrical'plug for electrically connecting it to aconventional female electrical outlet of the type found in most'homes.FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred wiring diagram for the treelighting-circuit wherein the potentialof a volt'power supply is reducedto 3 volts for tree lighting purposes.

Limb members 22 can also be removably connected to the trees trunkmember for storage purposes. FIG. 3 illustrates one type ofquick-connect structure that can be used for this purpose and for alsoelectrically connecting the limb members to power supply lines 30 and 32positioned in the interior of trunk 16. As shown, the trunk connectorcomprises a female fitting 34 pressed into a port 36 in trunklfi. Thefemale connector is electrically connected in a conventional fashionwith lines 38 and 40 to power supply lines 30 and 32 respectively. Amale electrical connector 42 sized to be snugly received within femaleconnector 34 is attached to limb member 22 proximate one end. Electricalsupply and return lines 44 and 46 extend along limb member 22 from maleconnector 42 to light 24 wherein the light is electrically connectedwith lines 38 and 40 when coacting connectors 34 and 42 are urgedtogether. It is to be noted that it is also within the scope of thisinvention to plug a light 24 directly into female connector 34 asillustrated in FIG. 3 to light the trunk member 16 only and to providefemale connectors 34 in base 10 for lighting the base.

Power supply and return lines 30 and 32 can extend outwardly through thebottom end of trunk 16 where they are preferably connected to anelectrical plug 50 adapted to be received in electrical outletreceptacle 52 connected to the voltage reduction means 26 so that theelectrical supply lines can be readily connected and disconnected fromthe voltage reduction means. When a plurality of electric lights 24 areused, they are preferably electrically connected in parallel with lines30 and 32 so that the operation of any one light will not be affected bythe operation of another.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate one type of rotating base 10 that can beused to rotate trunk 16. As shown, the rotating base includes a bottomstand member 54 with a support plate 56 rotatably mounted to its topface with bolt 58. Threaded flange 18 is secured to the top face ofplate 56 to receive trunk 16 as heretofore described. Bearings 60 can bepositioned in bearing races between plate 56 and stand 54 so that theplate freely rotates on the stand even when supporting a substantialload. The plate 56 can be rotated at a predetermined rate with a piniongear 62 driven in a conventional fashion with motor 64. Gear 62 in turncoacts with circular rack means 66 such as spaced teeth formed aboutplate 56.

Spaced electrical conductors 68 and 70 are secured to the bottom face ofplate 56 to coact with pickup contacts 72 and 74 respectively which arein turn affixed to stand 54, when the plate rotates on said stand. Forsafety purposes conductors 68 and 70 are, of course, electricallyinsulated with respect to plate 56. Contacts 72 and 74 are in turnconnected with electrical conductors 76 and 78 respectively to voltagereduction means 26. Also, for safety reasons, motor 64 is preferablypowered with electric current regulated by the voltage reduction meansand then passed along said electrical conductors 76 and 78 and lines 80and 82 to said motor. Conductors 68 and 70 can be electrically connectedwith lines 84 and 86 to female plug 88 which in turn coacts with maleplug 50 connected to electrical lines 30 and 32. By using a constructionof this type the trees trunk can be easily removed from the rotatingbase for storage purposes as herein described.

It is to be noted that while the artificial tree of this invention isparticularly suited for use as a lighted Christmas tree it can be usedas a decorator tree by attaching a predetermined foliage, flower, orfruit to the trees trunk and limb members.

I claim:

1. An artificial tree which comprises base means for supporting saidtree on a support surface; an elongated trunk member connected to saidbase means to extend outwardly away from said support surface; at leastone limb member attached to said trunk member; at least one electriclight attached to said limb member; first electrical conductor meanselectrically connected to said electric light and extending along saidlimb member to second electrical conductor means extending along saidtrunk member to said base means for transmitting electrical energy tosaid light; voltage reduction means attached to said base means andelectrically connected to said second electrical conductor means formaintaining the electrical potential applied to said light at 1 to 12volts; and connector means electrically connected to said voltagereduction means for connecting said reduction means to an electricalpower supply.

2. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said electrical power supplyis a household power source.

3. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said voltage reduction meansis attached to the side of said base means opposite the side to whichsaid elongated trunk member is connected.

4. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said trunk member is rotatablymounted to said support base and to drive means for rotating said trunkwith respect to said base.

5. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said voltage reduction meansis a transformer.

6. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said first electricalconductor means passes along the interior of said limb member and saidsecond electrical conductor means passes along the interior of saidtrunk member.

'7. The artificial tree of claim 6 wherein said limb member plugs into aconnector attached to said trunk member for electrically connecting saidlight attached to said limb to said second conductor means.

8. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said connector is a plug-inconnector sized and adapted to receive and activate an electric light.

1. An artificial tree which comprises base means for supporting saidtree on a support surface; an elongated trunk member connected to saidbase means to extend outwardly away from said support surface; at leastone limb member attached to said trunk member; at least one electriclight attached to said limb member; first electrical conductor meanselectrically connected to said electric light and extending along saidlimb member to second electrical conductor means extending along saidtrunk member to said base means for transmitting electrical energy tosaid light; voltage reduction means attached to said base means andelectrically connected to said second electrical conductor means formaintaining the electrical potential applied to said light at 1 to 12volts; and connector means electrically connected to said voltagereduction means for connecting said reduction means to an electricalpower supply.
 2. The artificial tree of claim 1 whErein said electricalpower supply is a household power source.
 3. The artificial tree ofclaim 1 wherein said voltage reduction means is attached to the side ofsaid base means opposite the side to which said elongated trunk memberis connected.
 4. The artificial tree of claim 1 wherein said trunkmember is rotatably mounted to said support base and to drive means forrotating said trunk with respect to said base.
 5. The artificial tree ofclaim 1 wherein said voltage reduction means is a transformer.
 6. Theartificial tree of claim 1 wherein said first electrical conductor meanspasses along the interior of said limb member and said second electricalconductor means passes along the interior of said trunk member.
 7. Theartificial tree of claim 6 wherein said limb member plugs into aconnector attached to said trunk member for electrically connecting saidlight attached to said limb to said second conductor means.
 8. Theartificial tree of claim 1 wherein said connector is a plug-in connectorsized and adapted to receive and activate an electric light.